Why I Take Photos

I fell in love with photography when I was eight years old, holding my dad’s camera on a family vacation in Pella, Iowa. He asked me to take a picture of him in front of a windmill in the town square. The photo came out blurry, but something about that moment stuck. It sparked a curiosity in me that’s never gone away. Photography gets me out into the world and helps me see it differently, from new angles, in better light. Over time, it taught me more than how to take a photo, it taught me how to look at life and people with a deeper sense of perspective.

Birding has always been a big part of my journey. Capturing different bird species in flight feels like stopping time, freezing a split second of beauty that would otherwise vanish. That same fascination with moments in motion is what drew me to long exposure photography years ago. Whether it’s a bird midair, the spinning of steel wool, or stars slowly sweeping across the night sky, photography lets me witness and share the quiet magic most people miss.

Artisitic

Artistic photography is about using the camera as a creative tool to express emotion, tell a story, or explore beauty beyond just capturing reality. I enjoy this style because it allows me to turn everyday moments into meaningful images, and create art that reflects their personal vision and feeling. And allowing others to see the world differently through my eyes

Springs Hidden Treasure

Shoreline Sentinel

Animal

Wildlife photography captures animals in their natural habitats, often requiring patience, timing, and a deep respect for nature. I enjoy this style because it connects me to the wild, it allows me to witness raw, unscripted moments, and gives me a chance to share the beauty and power of the natural world with others.

Window To The Wild

Ritual on the Prairie

Lazy Feast

Birding

Birding photography is the art of capturing birds in their natural environment, often blending patience, quick reflexes, and a love for the outdoors. I love this style because it used to keep me busy for hours—listening to bird songs and calls, some familiar and some new—then tracking them down to get a photo and watch how they interacted. My favorite fines are the birds or prey, specifically owls and those are the ones I especially strive to chase after in my birding adventures.

Silent Breakfast

Long Exposure

Long exposure or light painting is a photography technique where you use a long exposure to capture trails of light in motion, almost like painting in the air with light. I love it because it feels like I’m stopping time—just for a moment—so I can create something surreal and beautiful in the stillness.